Maimonides Opens New Breast Cancer Center

(October 2011) – Maimonides Medical Center recently celebrated the opening of its new Breast Cancer Center to accommodate the growing need for these highly-specialized services. The stunning $8.6 million facility is located at 745 64th Street, Brooklyn, down the block from the main pavilion of the Maimonides Cancer Center.

Pamela Brier, Maimonides president and CEO, along with Dr. Patrick Borgen, Director of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, greeted community leaders and elected officials in attendance, including: NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, as well as a number of City Council Members, NYS Senators and Assembly Members.

Ms. Brier commended Ms. Quinn and the NYC Council for supporting the development and growth of the Maimonides Cancer Center from the beginning, along with community leaders and NYS elected officials. In addition, Ms. Brier thanked the dedicated staff at the new pavilion for providing superb services to patients from all walks of life.

“We knew these services were needed here in the most populous borough,” said Ms. Brier. “So we recruited the best and set about providing Dr. Borgen and his team with the tools and resources they needed to bring all the components together under one roof.”

Under the direction of Dr. Patrick Borgen, the Maimonides Breast Cancer Program has seen steady growth over the last five years.

“The word is out that the most advanced diagnosis and care for breast cancer can be found right here in Brooklyn,” said Dr. Borgen, who also is Chair of Surgery at Maimonides. “We are providing the absolute highest level of services across the board, and we now have a facility that matches that caliber of care.”

Dr. Borgen recognized his outstanding staff of experts, and then introduced the event’s true guests of honor: a dozen breast cancer survivors who posed for photos to the delight of all in attendance.

The new Maimonides Breast Cancer Center comprises 14,750 square feet of space in an eco-friendly facility with LED lighting and energy efficient heating/ventilation/air-conditioning systems. What patients appreciate most, though, is the spa-like décor with interior landscaping that includes a waterfall feature.

“Everyone who enters feels immediately at ease,” confirmed Dr. Christina Giuliano, Director of Breast Imaging at the Center. “It makes the experience of getting your mammogram or other breast exam less stressful, knowing you are getting the best available care in a serene and beautiful environment. We offer the most advanced technology available – anywhere.”

“The Maimonides Breast Cancer Program recently achieved NAPBC accreditation, placing it among an elite 5% of programs nationally,” said Dr. Borgen. “This followed closely on the heels of the American College of Radiology designating our Program a ‘Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.’ Our patients are in the best of all possible hands when they come through our doors.”

It was announced at the opening that clinical experts from the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, along with those of the Maimonides Cardiac Institute, will be giving a special presentation on “Women’s Breast and Heart Health” at the Sephardic Community Center, 1901 Ocean Parkway, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11 AM. For more information, please contact Frieda Tawil at 718-954-3146.

Services provided by the Maimonides Breast Cancer Program include: comprehensive screening, diagnostic, medical and surgical breast services, as well as nutrition and genetics counseling, and a full array of psycho-social support for patients and families.

The team of experts is comprised of medical oncologists, dedicated breast surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, radiation oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, specialty-trained nurses and physician assistants, genetics counselor, nutritionist, social worker and other personnel working collaboratively.

Research is conducted by the Maimonides Breast Cancer Program, funded by numerous Susan G. Komen and NIH grants. For more information about its staff and clinical services, visit our website at www.maimonidesmed.org/breastcancer.